VLC at Destinations International Annual Convention
This month, Timothy Bush, chief marketing officer, Taylor Beard Stanley, vice president of sales, and Kathryn Shea Duncan, senior director of social media/communications, traveled to Tampa, Florida, for the Destinations International (DI) Annual Conference.
The Visit Lake Charles team learned about the industry's latest trends and innovations, connected with peers, and discovered new tools and ideas.
Additionally, Bush, co-chair of the DI Social Inclusion Committee, introduced nine HBCU scholarship winners during the Recognition Celebration. He also participated in a panel on inclusivity and recorded an episode of Brand USA Talks Travel Podcast.
Committed to their professional development, Stanley and Duncan attended their Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) classes before the conference. They are one step closer to finishing the four-year program, which focuses on destination leadership, marketing, advocacy, and a range of other topics related to the tourism industry to help professionals grow. The CDME is the highest educational honor in the tourism industry.
Edmiston Named Treasurer for Destinations International
Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles, has been named Treasurer for Destinations International’s 2024-2025 Board of Directors Association Officers. Having
Edmiston previously served as secretary on the committee, and he brings valuable experience to his new role.
“I am eager to step into the role of Treasurer and grateful for the opportunity to continue to help shape the future of our industry,” said Edmiston. “Destinations International plays a crucial role in advancing tourism, and I look forward to supporting its mission of innovation and growth in this new capacity.”
The announcement was made during Destinations International’s Annual Convention in Tampa, Florida.
Louisiana Rural Water Association Returns
July marked the ninth year the Louisiana Rural Water Association hosted its Annual Conference in Lake Charles. The five-day event, which took place this year from July 14 to 19 at the Lake Charles Event Center, has a significant economic impact each year.
Last year, the conference generated $1.5 million and 1,541 room nights. This is one of VLC’s biggest summer conferences, and it provides an economic lift during the season.
When asked what they loved about meeting in Southwest Louisiana, here’s what some of the attendees had to say:
“Being in Southwest Louisiana for LRWA has allowed me to network with individuals committed to water and environmental issues, and the food here is truly amazing. I do breakfast, lunch, and dinner number one, and even dinner number two—Lake Charles’ food, culture and people are absolutely incredible.” - Shelly Lopez-Gray, Prairie Dog Boring Equipment, Houston, Texas
“Coming to Lake Charles for LRWA allows me to get in front of my customers and vendors from this side of the state. I enjoyed the lazy river at L’Auberge Casino Resort with my family during my downtime, which was very relaxing after a long day.” - Brandon McKinney, Field Operations Manager, Gainey’s Concrete, Holden, Louisiana
“I like the easy accessibility to the facility. The classes were well taught. I had a good time with a lot of activities from the moment we arrived until we went back to our rooms. Everyone has been extremely nice and accommodating. I really enjoyed myself.” -Angela Jackson, Deputy Clerk/Utility Clerk, Town of Cotton Valley, Louisiana
“My favorite part about meeting in Lake Charles and being in Southwest Louisiana has definitely been the food and the people. The local restaurants here offer amazing food.” - Michael Lee, Tech Support Specialist, EasyBill Software, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
“The people are incredibly nice, with lots of smiling faces, and it feels very safe here. It’s been a very pleasant experience overall.” - Bree Carraway, COO, EasyBill Software, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
“Sights and Sounds” of Louisiana
Visit Lake Charles’ Kaitlyn Gallegos, director of global sales, recently teamed up with representatives from Lafayette Travel, Visit Baton Rouge, and New Orleans & Company for a sales mission in Orlando, Florida.
Together, they developed an exciting new “Sights and Sounds” itinerary for the four cities, designed to showcase a range of attractions and experiences tailored for international visitors. This collaborative effort aims to highlight each destination's unique attractions and culture while providing travelers with a comprehensive, unforgettable journey through Louisiana.
Fall/Winter Inspiration Guide Coming Soon
Get ready for the Fall 2024/Winter 2025 Inspiration Guide, arriving next month. Discover the best of Southwest Louisiana, from shopping and sipping to local musicians and artisans. Haven’t picked up your Spring/Summer 2024 copy yet? Stop by the Visit Lake Charles or Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point offices or scan the QR code below to access the digital version.
Check out Tourism Works in the American Press on the last Thursday of each month.
